After a dissappointing season in 2009 rejuvenated Blues wing Joe Rokocoko says that he is leaner and meaner as he looks to regain his All Black jersey that he lost last year.
Rokocoko has lost weight and after being dropped from the All Blacks squad which toured at the end of last year the 26-year-old has revived his career with new found form.
He does however say that he is not burdening himself with his quest to win back his All Blacks jersey.
In a mixed campaign for the Blues in 2010 Rokocoko has been one of the in-form wings of the New Zealand Super 14 effort producing consistent performances.
Rokocoko admits to shedding about 3kg and believes the benefits are emerging, while he has also worked hard to improve his game under the high ball.
Combine the two and he has rediscovered his counter-attacking skills to put some heat on the talent that took over from him after 60 tests dating back to 2003.
"Previously I didn't want to lose weight because I thought I'd lose the power as well," Rokocoko said of his leaner look.
"But now it's more about speed and being light on my feet. My pre-season was a lot of repetitive speed work.
"I've come down two or three kilos and I'm feeling good. I feel like I want to run every time I get the ball." he told Sportal.
Rokocoko's turnaround started in the Air New Zealand Cup when he regained his his confidence but was unable to do enough to convince the national selectors.
At the end of last year he took up an offer to play for the British Barbarians against Graham Henry's side and had the rare honour of being a New Zealand player to beat the All Blacks.
Now with the World cup less than 18 months away Rokocoko admits regaining his black jersey remains a goal.
"It's still there, it's always going to be there, but it's not the No1 priority for me at the moment.
"I think that's why my game so far has been consistent - because my priority has just been about performing week in and week out for the Blues.
"That's working for me so I've just got to keep working at it and time will tell."
While the Blues have had plenty of moments to frown about, Rokocoko has been able to flash his trademark smile again.
"Yeah, the big plus for me is I'm really enjoying it. I'm happy coming to training and happy with how things are going.
"I'm nailing the things I need to nail during the week; I'm preparing well with my speed and evasion work and going into games confident.
"My main goal every week is just to keep building. I rated myself last week (against the Stormers) as a 7.5. I'm just trying to build to get to that 10."
The Blues are sitting in eighth place on the table and eight points off the semifinal zone but the Blues refuse to give up.
"I reckon we can make the semis," says Rokocoko confidently.
"We have the belief in our game plan and our players."
"Hopefully a few results will go our way and we just have to do our part."
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